Operator



March 17, 1942. .w R, RAY l 2,276,591 1 OPERATOR Filed July- 2'7, 1940 s sheets-sheet 1 A Trag/51514 l.Manch 17, 1942. w. R. RAY 2,276,591

PER'ATOR Y Filed July 27, 1940 5 shams-sheet 2v Patented Mar. 17, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE OPERATOR William R. Ray, Beverly Hills, Calif. Application July 27, 1940,v Serial No. 348,064

8 Claims.

My present invention relates to improvements in an electrically controlled hydraulic operator for imparting to-and-fro movement to means to be operated, such as valve closure members, dampers, or the like.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved operator of the character described wherein the parts are compactly and effectively arranged, and which is completely sealed against leakage of the pressure-transmitting liquid.

Another object is the provision in an hydraulic operator, including an electrically operated pump, of -switching means for breaking the pumpmotor-energizing circuit upon predetermined movement of the operating member under the inuenceof the pump, which switching means is contained wholly within the pressure chamber of the operator. A further object is the provision of novel and effective meansvfor actuating said switching means.

Another'object is the provision, in an .hydraulic operator of the character described, of electrically operated valve means for relieving the generated liquid pressure and means, accessible from the exterior of the operator, for adjusting the rate of ilow through said valve.

A still further object is the provision of a unitary pump and relief-valve structure which is particularly adapted for use in the operator of my present invention.

` Other objects and advantages of my invention will be found in the description, the drawings, and the appended claims.

For complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following'detailed description and accompanying drawings,where 1n:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an operator embodying my invention; g'

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a preferred form of the operator;

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the pump structure taken along vthe line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view of the pump and reliefvalve structure, taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 2, and showing the relief-valve operating means in elevation; and

Figure 6 is -an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the pressure-relief flow-adjusting means, taken along the line 6 6 of Fig. 3.

Referring rst to the diagrammatic showing in a bottom plate I6 secured to the casing; a

spring Il, compressed between this plate andl or wall I4, urging the stem l the movable plate upward, its movement in this direction being limited by the engagement of an enlarged portion vI8 of the stem with the plate I6.

The space withinthe casing above the partition IZserves as a ting liquid such as oil;` the casing wall being extended by a housing I9. Mounted in this reservoir is an electric-motor-operated pump, indicated by the legends, for forcing `,the liquid through a pipe 20, sealingly extended through the partition, into the pressure chamber 2l defined bythe lower portion of the casing, the bellows, wall I4 and partition I2. The pump is provided with an inlet 22, and a check valve 23 which precludes return of the liquid through the pump. Branched from the pipe 20 is another pipe 24,with the open end of which a pivoted plate-like magnetic closure member 25 cooperates to form a relief valve, generally indicated by the numeral 26; an electromagnet 2l serving, when energized, to attract the closure member into valve-closing position. 'Ihe electromagnet is connected by wires 28, through a switch 29, to a source of electrical energy 30; and the pump motor is connected by wires. 3| to the same source, through switches 32 and 33. The latter switch comprises a contact blade 34, 'of resilient material, insulatingly mounted in sioned into engagement 35, similarly mounted in the partition. The contact blade 34 is provided with an extension 36 with which the bent upper end portion o'f an arm 31, carried by the wall I4, is adapted to engage.

The operation of the device hereinabove described is as follows: If switches 29 and 32 are closed, relief valve 26 closes and the pump is operated by the motor, forcing liquid from the reservoir into thel pressure chamber 2|, which was also lled with liquid, with the result that the wall I4 is moved downward against the force of spring I'I, collapsing the bellows. If the motor with acontact element switch 32 (only) is opened,.the wall is held in its lowered position by the liquid trapped in the pressure chamber, relief valve 26 being held guided in an opening formed reservoir for a pressure-transmit-l the partition I2 and tenclosed and returnl of liquid through the pump being prevented by check vvalve 23. If switch 29 is now also opened, the force of spring I1 moves the wall upward, forcing the liquid back into the reservoir through the open relief valve 26, electromagnet 21 being deenergized by opening of switch 29. The operating stem of the device can thus be moved to, and maintained in, any desired position within its range. If it is desired to operate the device only to its extreme moved positions, the switches 29 and v32 maybe connected to operate conjointly. When the pump motor and the relief valve operator are then both energized, liquid is pumped into the pressure chamber and the wall is moved downward until the arm 31 engages the extension 36 of contact blade 34, opening switch 33 and thus stopping the pump motor. The relief valve still being held closed, the wall is maintainedv in its lowered position until the switches 29 and 32 are reopened to permit the liquid to return to the reservoir through the relief valve.

Referring now to Figs. 2-6 of the drawings,

the numeral 40 indicates a cylindrical casing.

having intermediate its endsy an inner annular flange portion 4| to which is secured a rigid metal plate 42, a washer 43 of electrical insulating material being interposed between the flange and the plate. Extending from the bottom of the casing, and integraltherewith, is a.

pair of side walls 44 which terminate in an annular portion 45, to which is secured a -disk 46. Threaded in a central opening in this disk, and locked in position by'4 a nut 41, is a member 48 which is externally threaded at its lower end for attachment to a device to be operated, such as a uid .control valve. \The member 48 has a bore for the reception of an operating stem 49; the stem being sealed from leakage of uid from the operated device by packing 50 compressed around the stem by a nut co-operating with a compression member 52.

The bottom f, the casing 40 is provided with an inner annular flange 53, the underside of which is recessed to receive the folded-over marginal bottom end portion of a metallic bellows 54. The bellows is soldered in the recess and is additionally held in place by a dished plate 55 received in another recess in the flange and securedby a pair oftaper pins 56 pressed in openings in the side walls 44. Secured by solder to the marginal top end portion ofthe bellows is another dished plate 51 having a downwardly formed annular center portion which is threaded to receive the threaded upper end portion of a stem 58 which extends downward and is guided in a bushing 59 secured in a central opening in plate 55. The end portion of stem 58 below .plate `55 is enlarged to provide a shoulder 60 which, byengagement with the bushing, limits wal1) 51 and partition 42, a pressure chamber 65.

The portion of casing 40 which extends above thepartition 42 forms therewith a reservoir 66 for the pressure-transmitting liquid, which is preferably oil. Mounted in this reservoir on the partition 42, by spacers 61, isan electric motor 68, preferably of the brushless altermating-current type. This motor comprises a laminated core-69 and an energizing coil 10, and has a drive shaft 1| to which is secured ahead 12. A plate 13 is mounted on the core 69 by screws 14 threaded in spacers 15 riveted to the plate.

Secured to this plate by screws 16 is a rectangular block of metal 11. As is shown in Figs. and 5, this block is bored to provide a cylinder 18 for a piston 19. A connecting rod 80 is pivoted at one of its ends on the pistonv and at its other end on a pin 8|, eccentrically mounted in the motor drive head 12. The piston has a longitudinal bore 82 which is enlarged at its inner end for the reception of a ball 83 which is pressed by a spring 84 against la seat formed by the junction of the bore 02 and its enlargement, a hollow plug 85 threaded in the inner end of the enlargement holding the spring compressed. Branched from the inner end o'f the cylinder is a horizontal passage 86 which communicates with another horizontal 'passage 81, parallel with the cylinder. The outer end of this passage is enlarged and is closed by a screw plug 88. At the inner end of this enlarged passage is a ball 89 which is held against the seat there-formed by a spring'90 compressed between the ball and the plug 88.

with the enlargement of passage 81, is a hollow fitting 9|. The arrangement just described constitutes a pump, controlled in its action by the check valves formed by the balls 83 and 89. When the piston is reciprocated by the motor, in the outward stroke liquid is drawn into the piston (from the reservoir) through the bore 82 past the ball 83, passage of liquid in the opposite direction being prevented by the ball 89.` lIn the inward stroke, the liquid is forced past upward movement of the stem. The upper end of stem 49 is provided with a head nut 6|', tightly threaded thereon, which .is freely received in a recess formed in the bottom of stem 58. The

two stems are loosely connected together by a shoulder nut 62 threaded on the enlarged lower end portionof stem 58. By this-loose connec- .tion, possible binding,'due to slight misalign- .ment of the stems, is prevented.V A spring 63,

compressed between the plates 55 and 51, urges the stems upward. An opening .64 in plate 55 permits passage of air into and out of the space within the bellows when the same is expanded or contracted. The lower po'rtion of the casing 40 defines, with the bellows, plate (or movable the ball 89 and through the fitting 9|, ball 83 preventing passage of liquid in the opposite direction. Soldered to the fitting 9| is a pipe |2|, the lower end of which extends through an opening in the partition 42 and is secured thereinby solder.

Communicating with the horizontal passage 81, at the discharge side of the ball check 89, is a vertical passage 92. Another vertical passage 93 communicates with a horizontal passage 94, the outer end of which is enlarged to receive, and provide a seat for, a relief-valve ball 95. Interconnecting the passages 92 and 93, by pipes 96 `and-91', is a metering valve structure 98 which comprises a body 99 threaded in an opening in the upper side wall of the casing 40 and secured thereto by solder. The body is provided at its inner end with vertical inlet and outlet passages |00 and |0,|, respectively, separated by a partition |02 having a port opening |03 therethrough. Threaded in a horizontal bore |04 axially aligned with the port opening, and adjustable from the exterior of the casing, is a closure member |05 having a conical end portion cooperable with the port opening. The outer end of the bore |04 is enlarged to receive packing |06 which is compressed around the stem of the closure member by a nut |01, a cap yThreaded in' a side wall -of the block 11,\and communicating l |08 being provided asl additional protection against leakage from the valve. So as to prevent fluid passage through the metering valve being completely obstructed by the closure member, a right-angled restricted passage |09, bypassing the inlet and outlet, is drilled in the end portion of the closure member. The pipes 96 and 91, which connect, respectively, the inlet and the outlet passages of the metering valve with the passages 92 and 93 in the block 11, are secured at their either ends in these passages by solder; l

Also secured to the plate 13, by screws ||0, is an electromagnetic `device which comprises a core having a shaded pole ||2 and an energizing coil ||3. Pivotally mounted on a bracket ||4 for attraction by the pole is an armature Loosely extending through an opening in'a rear portion of the armature is a vertical rod ||6 which is pivotally connected at its bottom end to a bell-*crank ||1 mounted on a support ||0 riveted to the plate 13. A spring ||9, compressed between the upper surface of the rear portion of the armature and a head |20 provided on the top end of rod H6, urges the vertical portion of the bell-crank into light engagement with the relief-valve bail 95. This spring also serves to bias the armature away from the pole. In the upper end of the pressure chamber 65 is a switch |22, comprising a blade |23, of resilient material, insulatinglymounted on the underside of the partition G2 and carrying a contact element |24 cooperable with, and tensioned by the blade into engagement' with, another contact element |25, directly mounted on the partition.

a borc |21 formed in the upper end portion of the stem 58; a bushing |28, threaded in the outer end of the bore, freely surrounding .the shank of the screw. When the stem 58 is moved 'downward through a distance determined by the length of the screw, the underside of the bushing engages the screw head |29, moving the blade downward to open the switch. By this arrange' ment of the switch there are no movable mechanical connections between the pressure chamber and the reservoir which might introduce leakage, as would be the case if the switch were mounted in the reservoir.

The electric motor and the coil of the electro-` 3 p'rising the ball 95, when the electromagnetic device vis energized, the armature is attracted, compressing the spring H9, force sufficient to hold the ball tightly against its seat thus being exerted by the bell-crank. When the electromagnet is deenergized, the compressed liquid is able to move the ball away from its seat against the light force now exerted by the spring through the bell-crank. The purpose of the metering valve 98, interposed in the relief valve fluid circuit, is to adjust the rate of return movement of the operator as desired; accidental complete stoppage of the operator being prevented by they restricted by-pass |09 across the metering valve.

While I have herein shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that modifications may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that I intend therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: V 1. In an operator of the character described, in combination: an elongated casing; a rigid partition joining the side walls of said casing intermediate the ends thereof; a movable wall joined to the lower end of said casing; the lower portion of said Vcasing defining, with-said partition and said wall, a pressure chamber; the upper portion of said casing defining, with said partition, a reservoir containing a liquid; an electrically operated pump in saidreservoir, and supported by said'partition, for forcing said liquid into said chamber to move said wall in one direction; and means constantly urging'said wall in an opposite direction.

2. In an operator of the character described,

in combination: an elongated casing; a rigid partition joining the side walls of said casing intermediate the ends thereof; a movable wall joined to the lower end of said casing; the lower portion of said casing defining, witlrsaid partition and said wall, a pressure chamber; the upclamped between insulating washers in the casing opening by a nut |34. One lead |35 of the motor and one lead |36 of the electromag'net coil are brought to a'common terminal I3I, the

other lead |31 of the coil being connected to grammatically shown in Fig. 1, which operation was hereinbefore described and therefore will not be repeated. In regard tothe relief valve' com- 75 per portion of said casing defining, with said partition, a reservoir .containing a liquid; an

electrically operated pump in said reservoir, and

supported by said partition, for forcing said liquid into said chamber to move said wall in one direction; means constantly urging said wall in an opposite direction; and switching means mounted on the underside of said partition, and actuated by predetermined `movement of said wall in said one direction, for controlling the energization of said electrically operated pump.

3. In an operator of the character described, in combination: an elongatedvcylindrical casing; a. rigid partition joining the side wall of said casing intermediate the ends thereof; an expansible-contractible bellows in the lower portion `of said casing and joined to the side wall thereof at its lower end; a movable wall joined to the upper end of said bellows; said lower portion of said casing dening, with said bellows, said wall and said partition, a pressure chamber; an operating stern operatively connected to said wall and extending downward within said bellows; the upper portion of said casing defining, with said partition, a reservoir containing a liquid; an electrically operated pump wholly in said reservoir, and-supported by said partition, for

in combination: a cylindrical casing; an expansible-contractible bellows in said casing and joined to the side wall thereof at its lower end; a movable wall joined to the: upper end of said bellows; said casing defining,vwith said bellows and said wall, a pressure chamber; an operating stem operativelyconnected to said wall and extending downward within said bellows; a reservoir containinga liquid and mounted on said casing; an electrically operated pump, mounted i-n said reservoir, for forcing said liquid into said' pressure chamber to move said wall in a downward direction; means constantly urging said wall in an upward direction; a normally-open electrically operated relief Valve interconnecting said pressureY chamber and said reservoir; energizing circuits for saidpump and for said valve; normally-closed switching means, connected in said pump-energizing circuit, mounted wholly in said pressure chamber; and means received in a longitudinal opening formed in the upper end portion of said stem for actuating said switching means to break said pump-energizing circuit upon predetermined movement of said wall in said downward direction.

5. In an operator of the character described,

in combination: an elongated casing; a rigid partition joining the side walls of said casing intermediate the ends thereof; a movable wall joined to the lower end of said casing; the lower portion of said casing. defining, with said partition and said wall, a pressure chamber; the upper portion of said casing defining, with said partition, a reservoir containing a liquid; an electric motor in said reservoir and supported by said partition; a pump mounted on said motor and driven thereby; means iluidly connectingv said pressure chamber with the outlet of said pump; said pump being adapted to force said liquid through said connecting means into said chamber to move said wall in one direction; means constantly urging said wall in an opposite direction; an electrically operated relief valve in said reservoir; means uidly connecting said pressure chamber with the inlet of said valve; energizing circuits for said pump motor and said valve; and normally-closed switching means mounted on the underside of said partition and. actuated by the movement of said wall for breaking said pump-motor-energizing circuit` upon predetermined movement of said wall in said one direction.

6. In an operator of the character described, in combination: an elongated cylindrical casing; a rigid partition joining the side wall of said casing intermediate the ends thereof; an expansible-contractible bellows in the lower portion of said casing and joined to the side wall thereof at its lower end; a movable wall joined to the upper end of said bellows; said lower portion of said casing defining, with said bellows, said wall and said partition, a pressure chamf ber; an operating stem operatively connected to said wall and extending downward within said bellows; the upper'porton of said casing deflning, with said partition, a reservoir containing a liquid; an electric motor in said reservoir and supported by said partition; a pump mounted on said motor and driven thereby; means fluidly connecting said pressure chamber with the outlet of said pump; said pump being adapted to force said liquid through said connecting means into said chamber to. move said wall in a downward direction; means constantlyurging said wall in an upward direction; an electrically operated relief valve in said reservoir; means fluidly connecting said pressure chamber with the inlet of said valve; energizing circuits for said pump motor and said valve; and normally closed switching means mounted on the underside' of said partition and actuated by the movement of said wall for breaking said pump-motor-energizing circuit upon predetermined downward movement of said wall.

7. In an operator of 1the character described, 'in combination: an elongated casing; a rigid partition joining the side walls of said casing intermediate the ends thereof; a movable wall joined to the lower end'of said casing; the lower portion of said casing defining, with `said partition and said wall, a pressure chamber; the upper portion of said casing dening, with said partition, a reservoir containing a liquid; an electric motor in said reservoir and supported by said partition; a pump mounted on said motor andv driven thereby; means fluidly connecting said pressure chamber with the outlet of said pump; said vpump being adapted to force said liquid through said connecting means into said chamber to move said wall in one direction; means constantly urging said wall in an opposite direction; an electrically operated -relief valve in said reservoir and having an outlet thereinto; means fluidly connecting said pressure chamber with the inlet of said valve; and additional valve means in said last-named connecting means, and mounted in a wall of said reservoir, for adjusting the rate of flow through said relief valve;

said adjusting valve being Voperable exteriorly of said casing. v

8. In an loperator of the character described, in combination: an elongated casing; a rigid partition joining the side walls of said casing intermediate the ends thereof; a movable wall joined to the lower end of said casing; the lower portion of said casing dening, with said partition and said wall, a pressure chamber; the upper portion of said casing defining, with said partition, a reservoir containing a liquid; an electric motor in said reservoir and supported by said partition; Ia pump mounted on said motor and driven thereby; means fluidly connecting said pressure chamber with the outlet of said pump; said pump being adapted to force said liquid through said `connecting means into said chamber to move said wall in one direction; means constantly urging said wall in an opposite direction; an electrically operated relief valve in said reservoir and having an outlet thereinto; means fluidly connecting said pressure chamber with the inlet of said valve; additional valve means in said last-named connecting means', and mounted` in a wall of said reservoir, for adjusting the rate of flow through said relief valve; said adjusting valve being operable exteriorly of said casing; and means dening a restricted passage by-passing said adjusting valve.

` WILLIAM R RAY. 

